The Path to Publication

Ever wondered how a novel goes from idea to publication?

Join us for an inspiring panel discussion with authors Jock Serong, Brooke Davis and Favel Parrett sharing their real-life journeys to becoming published.

Facilitated by Michelle Conn, this conversation will explore the path to publication, offer insights into the publishing industry, and share practical tips for emerging writers.

There’ll be time for audience questions, plus an opportunity to chat with the authors after the session.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or simply curious about how books come to life, this is a great chance to hear directly from authors and gain valuable insight into the craft of writing novels.

About the panellists:

Jock Serong is the author of seven novels, most recently Cherrywood, and a forthcoming biography of Fletcher Jones, A Suitable Man. He's the founding editor of Great Ocean Quarterly, and also writes for screen, and for titles like The Guardian, The Monthly and Surfing World. Jock has a PhD in Creative Writing, and is a director of Melbourne's Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas. Jock is based in Port Fairy, and sometimes on Flinders Island in eastern Bass Strait. 

Favel Parrett is an Australian author whose work explores landscape, memory and human 
connection. Her debut novel, Past the Shallows (2011), was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award and won the Dobbie Literary Award. She then wrote When the Night Comes and There Was Still Love, which was shortlisted for the Stella Prize and won Book of the Year at the Indie Book Awards in 2020. 

She is the author of the bestselling children’s books Wandi (2021) and Kimmi (2023). Her latest novel, One for Sorrow, will be released in Australia in October 2026 by Hachette Australia. 

Brooke Davis grew up on Wadawurrung Country in Bellbrae, Victoria. She holds a PhD from Curtin University in creative writing. Her debut novel Lost & Found was published in 28 countries and received two ABIAs for General Fiction and New Writer of the Year, as well as the WA Premier’s Award for Emerging Writer. Lost & Found was also shortlisted for the Indie Book of the Year Debut Fiction Award and the ABA Bookseller Choice award. She has lived in the US, Canada, Canberra, Perth, and now resides in Torquay, Victoria where she works as a bookseller. No One's Looking - her second novel - will be released this year.  

Light lunch provided.

Bookings essential.